Sweeper dust bag



June 4, 1940. J. s. CAMPBELL SWEEPER DUST BAG Filed Feb. 3, 1959 Bnnentor film,

G ttomcg Patented June 4, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a dust bag for an electric sweeper, and important objects and advantages thereof are to provide a dust bag of the character described, which need not be detachedfrom the sweeper structure to remove the accumulated dirt and dust therefrom, which embodies closure elements that may be released without stooping to operate same and that will automatically shift to the open positionwhen released, which is simple in its construction and arrangement, durable and efficient in its use, conveniently operated, and comparatively inexpensive to construct.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts herein specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, but it is to be understood that changes in the form, proportions and details of construction may be resorted to that come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of a sweeper bag constructed in accordance with the invention.

clasp and opening. elements embodied in the invention.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side view of a modified form of closure element, and Figure 5 is a plan view of the fastener embodied in the latter.

Referring in detail to the drawing I denotes the entire dust bag, which is made of any suitable cloth or fabric to render same dust proof, and constructed to conform to the conventional type of dust bag now in common use in connection with the various types and makes of electric sweepers. The lower end of the bag is provided with a suitable passage conduit 2, which is adapted for connection with the discharge and orifice of the fan casing of the sweeper structure in the usual manner.

The bottom of the dust bag I, rearwardly of the passage conduit 2, inclines at an angle from the horizontal when the bag is disposed vertically, and is constructed with suitable fullness 3 to allow the formation of a large opening 4 therein. The edge margin of the opening 4 is permanently secured in a pair of opening frames 5, each of which is substantially U-shaped. The frames have their respective ends joined together Figures 2 and 3 are enlarged plan views of theby hinged connections 6, which latter embody suitable spings l operable for normally forcing the frames apart to the open position. It will here be noted that the construction and operation of the opening frames 5 are generally similar to the type of opening frames commonly employed in the construction of ladies ordinary hand bags.

The opening frames 5 are releasibly secured in the closed position by the interengagement of a pair of clasp balls 8, which are fixedly secured to respective frames by respective connecting arms 9. A laterally disposed releasing lever Ill is pivotally connected with one of the connecting arms, and includes a head H which engages the other of said connecting arms, as clearly shown in Figure 2. A chain l2, or any other suitable flexible member, has one end connected with the outer free end of the lever I0, and the other end thereof is connected, as at l3, with the bag I, preferably adjacent to the upper end of the latter to be within convenient reach of the operator. It is obvious that a rearward pull on the chain l2 will pry the engaged clasp balls apart by the operation of the lever l0. Such release of the clasp balls will allow the hinge springs l to throw the opening frames 5 to the wide open position.

The inner face of one or of both of the opening frames 5 is provided with a fixed dust proof liner [4, which may be constructed of felt, rubber, or any other suitable analogous compressible material capable of providing a dust proof engagement between the opening frames when the latter are held together by the interengagement of the clasp balls 8, as illustrated in Figure 1.

In the modified form of the device, illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, a substantially clasp clamp I5 is employed, instead of the clasp balls 8, for holding the opening frames 5 in the closed position. The clamp is provided with a connecting bar l6, which is pivotally connected, as at IT, to one of the opening frames, and carries an operating lever l8 extending at an angle with respect to said bar. A pull chain I9 connects the free end of the said lever IS with the bag I. The clamp [5 has flared ends 20 to facilitate its engagement with the opening frames and overlaps the latter for securing said frames in the closed position. The clamp is released from the frames by pulling the chain to free the clamp from its engagement with the frames.

When operating a sweeper in the usual manner the dust bag is disposed approximately at the angle of the sweeper handle, whereby the angularly extending bottom portion of the improved bag will be disposed horizontally. To remove the collected dirt and dust from the bag, the operator simply runs the sweeper upon a sheet of paper or the like, and then pulls the chain to release the clasp elements to cause the springs 1 to forcibly throw the frames 5 to the open position. A particular advantage of using opening frames of the type set forth, is that the closed frames, by compressing the engaged bag bottom, will give dropping impetus to the collected dirt, when the compressed bag bottom is released by the sudden opening of the frames by the action of the springs.

The present invention provides a most efiicient device of its kind, which may be conveniently operated to remove the collected dirt and dust from the bag without detaching the latter from the sweeper, and without even requiring the operator to stoop to effect the opening of the bag. The convenience of emptying my improved bag will induce the frequent removal of the dirt and dust, whereby the performance of the sweeper is appreciably enhanced.

What I claim is:

1. In an electric sweeper bag provided with a large opening, the combination of a pair of substantially U-shaped frames having their respective ends joined together by hinged connections secured to the edge margin of the wall of said opening, fastening elements for securing said frames in the closed position, dust proof means carried by said frames, and springs mounted in said connections for forcibly shifting said frames to the open position when said fastening elements are released.

2. An electric sweeper dust bag provided with a large opening at the bottom thereof, a pair of substantially U-shaped frames having their respective ends joined together by hinged connections secured to the edge margin of said opening, dust proof means carried by said frames, fastening elements for securing said frames in the closed position, springs mounted in said connections for forcibly shifting said frames to the open position when said fastening elements are released, releasing means connected with said elements, and a pull member connected with the bag and with said means for operating the latter to release said elements.

JOHN S. CAMPBELL. 

